The key to having the automated Energy Management features to work correctly is to leave the Smart Plug in an "off" state within the app whenever you're not using the Smart Plug (and connected appliance) on-demand.
Time of Use, Scheduling
Schedules can be managed by the Smart Plug itself if needed (does not need a monitor or another device). The schedules can be setup based on your connected rate plan, or via custom scheduled events as well. If using custom schedules, you will want to ensure you have both an "on" event specified as well as an "off" event to have a complete schedule cycle. It is also important to ensure that the Smart Plug has an appropriate Time Zone setting applied to make sure its following the schedule based on the correct timing for your location. Details on how to setup your ToU/Schedule for a Smart Plug can be found here.
Peak Demand
Peak Demand management for the Smart Plug does require a monitor, either the Gen 2 or Utility Connect to measure your real-time system usage as a measurement to control the Peak Demand behavior for your Smart Plug. Details about those devices can be found here: Gen 2, Utility Connect
Once you have an available Energy Monitor setup as well as the Smart Plug, then the Smart Plug can be controlled by Peak Demand energy management automatically.
How it works?
The purpose of "Peak Demand" is to keep your real-time system usage under the specified amount. Whenever the connected energy monitor detects that you're getting close to that set limit, it will turn off the Smart Plug in an attempt to keep you under that specified limit. Once you're back under that set goal of usage, then the Smart Plug will be turned back on while remaining under that limit.
How to enable/setup?
In the following example, we'll assume a Gen 2 device has been setup (and working correctly, named "Home Monitor") as the energy monitor to track system usage with the Smart Plug setup and acting as the "connected device" (named "Example Smart Plug").
From within the app, you'll tap the Management button on the bottom of the screen (available from most pages in the app), then tap on Peak Demand Management.
Once on the "Manage Device for Peak Demand" page, you can select your monitor (shown below as "Home Monitor"), and that will take you to the "Peak Demand Management" page, where you can specify the Peak Demand threshold as well as enabling the Smart Plug as a "Connected Smart Device" to be managed by that behavior:
Once everything has been setup - your Smart Plug will be turned on as long as your system usage (as detected by the monitor) stays below your specified Peak Demand Goal in kW (on the Peak Demand Management page). Once your system usage starts to get closer to that amount, the Smart Plug will be turned off.
Excess Solar
Excess Solar optimization for the Smart Plug also requires a monitor, either the Gen 2 or Utility Connect to measure your real-time system usage as a measurement to control the excess solar behavior for your Smart Plug. Details about those devices can be found here: Gen 2, Utility Connect
How it works?
The energy monitor (Gen 2 or Utility Connect) will track your system Net Usage status, consumption or production, through the mains either by the 200A CT's on the Gen 2 or via the smart meter measurements provided by the Utility Connect. Once that is captured correctly, then the Smart Plug behavior can be managed based on the amount of excess generation provided through your system.
How to enable/setup?
In the following example, we'll assume a Gen 2 device has been setup (and working correctly, named "Home Monitor") as the energy monitor to track system usage with the EV Charger setup and acting as the "connected device" (named "Example Smart Plug").
From within the app, you'll tap the Management button on the bottom of the screen (available from most pages in the app), then tap on Excess Solar Management.
Once on the "Manage Devices for Excess Solar" page, you can select your monitor (shown below as "Home Monitor"), and that will take you to the "Excess Solar Management" page, where you can enable the Smart Plug as a "Connected Smart Device" to be managed by that behavior:
Once setup correctly, whenever the monitor detects a "Net Production" state (i.e. producing more solar/generation than is being consumed in the system), the Smart Plug will turn on to consume that excess amount. Once the monitor detects you're in a "Net Consumption"/Usage state, it will then toggle the the Smart Plug off to keep you as close to Net Production as possible.
Feedback and Suggestions
This knowledge base is pretty new for the Emporia team. Our goal is to provide all of the information we can to help you manage your energy in better ways. If this article wasn't helpful, or we could be more clarifying on any points please reach out to the Customer Support team and we'll certainly work to improve these guides.